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05/17/1993 CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING May 17, 1993 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met in special session at City Hall, Monday, May 17, 1993 with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Arthur X. Deegan, II Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner Sue A. Berfield Commissioner Fred A. Thomas Commissioner Also present: Michael J. Wright City Manager M.A. Galbraith, Jr. City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. for the purpose of receiving a report regarding the structural integrity of the City Hall Annex walls. At the special meeting of May 3, staff was directed to investigate the structural integrity of the walls at the Annex. Reports have been provided by Vic Chodora, Building Official, and William Rast, of Rast Chang Incorporated, regarding their investigation of the walls. Mr. Chodora reported he inspected four column locations on the first floor and three locations on the second floor. In all cases, he found no connection of the concrete block to the steel columns. He did observe several reinforcing bars encased in a poured concrete pilaster welded to the steel beams; however, most of the welds are broken and others appear to be in poor condition. Mr. Chodora also reports daylight being observed between the block walls and the steel, and severe rusting. Mr. Rast reported the only observable connection is at the top of the center concrete pilasters. The pilaster connections are made by extending four 1-1/2 inch diameter dowels from the top of the pilaster and welding them to the bottom flange of the steel beams. He also reported the construction drawings were vague regarding the connection; however, structural note No. 11 on Drawing No. ST-1 reads as follows: "2-#3 x 8" long dowels @ 16" o.c. shall be welded to steel column flanges and/or webs for all masonry tying to structural steel." He reported the connection dowels were not found at any of the locations thus far observed. He also noted the aforementioned welded dowel connections at the top of the pilaster are poorly made, and some connections have cracked or separated. Mr. Rast believes the design intent was to span the brick veneer concrete block panels horizontally between the steel columns and concrete pilasters, but they found no alternate connections for the missing dowels. Kathy Rice, Deputy City Manager, indicated the wall had been opened in six places. Commissioner Thomas questioned the purpose of the steel deck pan. Vic Chodora, Building Official, indicated the roof is attached to the deck pan. He stated the steel deck pan supports the roof deck, and is not that difficult to replace. The steel deck pan sets on top of the joist, and insulation is on top of that. Commissioner Thomas questioned whether or not this was common. Mr. Chodora indicated it was not uncommon. Commissioner Thomas questioned if the steel pans were supposedly buried in block. Mr. Chodora indicated there are steel columns every 28 inches, and in between there is a pilaster. He stated, in many cases, the steel reinforcing bars are not holding. Commissioner Thomas questioned if they were rusted or broken, and Mr. Chodora indicated they were broken. For clarification, the City Manager questioned what the intervals are of the steel beams, and Mr. Chodora indicated 28 inches. Mr. Wright questioned what was in between the beams, and it was indicated poured concrete beams. He questioned what was at the steel beams, and Mr. Chodora indicated there were no connections. Commissioner Thomas questioned if this is the way the building was suppose to have been constructed. Mr. Chodora indicated it was suppose to have steel bars horizontally and that was not done. Also, the bars were to be attached to the steel columns, and that was not done. The Mayor questioned what problem this caused, and Mr. Chodora indicated the wall is supporting itself. Commissioner Thomas questioned whether or not there was suppose to be a piece of rebar protruding from the concrete block to be welded onto the steel upright. Mr. Chodora indicated this was the case. Commissioner Thomas questioned if this was a current method of construction, and Mr. Chodora indicated it was. Commissioner Thomas questioned how this construction was inspected. Mr. Chodora stated, generally, inspectors go out during different phases of the construction. Commissioner Thomas questioned whether or not this building was inspected when it was built, and Mr. Chodora indicated that, evidently, it was not. Commissioner Thomas questioned whether or not an x-ray could be used to determine how the walls are constructed. Mr. Chodora indicated infrared scans were possible. Commissioner Fitzgerald questioned whether it would be more cost effective to start from the ground up. Commissioner Berfield questioned whether or not a magnometer could determine if the steel was in the column. Mr. Chodora stated it would only indicate whether or not it was there. It was questioned whether or not there was the ability to determine how much steel is in place. Commissioner Deegan questioned whether or not both the rebar and the connections were required. MR. Chodora indicated the plans called for both. Commissioner Fitzgerald questioned whether or not there was a need to go into any more depth. Commissioner Thomas expressed a concern that there was a force to tear down the building. He felt the project managers are also skewed to tearing the building down, as they would receive architectural fees for a new project. Commissioner Fitzgerald indicated he still advocated the Sun Bank building. He did not feel rehabilitating the annex was in the best interest of what the City should do. He questioned whether or not the Commission wished to go to the expense of getting an estimate for rehabilitating the annex or if they wanted to go ahead and make a final decision. Mayor Garvey took exception to Commissioner Thomas's comments regarding the project managers, and stated she felt they were looking at it objectively. Commissioner Thomas questioned whether or not they were the architect for the project. Deputy City Manager Rice indicated they are the project managers. Mayor Garvey stated what should be considered is what is best for the future of Clearwater, with the structure lasting 30-50 years. She felt the structure should be truly designed as a city hall. Commissioner Thomas stated he is trying to get something for the citizens that is functional and costs the least money. Commissioner Deegan stated what was being attempted is to see if it is worthwhile to hire a construction company to determine what the cost wold be to rehab the annex structure. He felt this should be continued to be pursued until a definitive answer regarding whether or not the building was safe or cost effective is obtained. He felt the Commission should go back to the list of contractors and get some hard numbers regarding what the cost would be. The City Manager stated the scope of work needed to be defined. Commissioner Berfield questioned whether or not they could select someone or go out for an RFP (request for proposal). The Deputy City Manager indicated an RFP could be done, and not to do so might cause difficulties with the purchasing code. Commissioner Thomas stated he would like to have someone not historically doing work for the City. It was indicated no one in this area is large enough to do this that has not done work for the City. A list of five contractors had been provided to the Commission. The Deputy City Manger stated most of these had responded to the RFP for consideration as the design/build company for the City Hall project. Commissioner Deegan questioned what the Commission wanted done. Commissioner Thomas indicated the letter from Mudano would be a good starting point as it outlines the steps for rehabilitating the annex. Commissioner Deegan moved to request the City Manager get at least three bids using the scope of work as outlined by Mr. Mudano as a base point with added information regarding what would be needed to strengthen the walls. The motion was duly seconded. The City Manager questioned whether or not the Commission would require the renovation to meet current hurricane standards, as there had been considerable discussion regarding this. Commissioner Fitzgerald and Mayor Garvey expressed an opinion that it should be built to current standards, in that the employees and public should not be placed in danger. Commissioner Thomas disagreed and felt no more should be required than any other rehabilitation project. The Deputy City Manager indicated if there were structural renovations, those would have to meet code. The City Manager asked for direction, as at the previous meeting it was clearly stated it would not meet hurricane code. Commissioner Deegan felt if they had to fix the walls and roof, the building should then meet current code. Commissioner Thomas stated he felt it would depend on what the final fix is. Majority consensus was for the building to meet current hurricane codes. The City Manager pointed out the Mudano letter includes using the current air conditioner. It was stated this should be looked at to determine whether or not it should be replaced. The City Manager questioned what size building is to be considered. In response to a question, it was indicated the Chamber would not be included in this proposal. Commissioner Fitzgerald expressed concerns as he felt a consolidated city hall was needed for efficiency. He stated this does not allow for total consolidation. Commissioner Deegan indicated there have been several changes as this project has gone along, and the most recent direction was not to have City Commission offices and Chambers in the new city hall structure. Consensus of the Commission was to use 78,000 square feet. The City Manager indicated he would draft the scope of work and send it out to the City Commission. Commissioner Deegan restated his motion as the City Manager be asked to contact the five construction firms, given by the Building Official, requesting they submit their best estimate as to the refurbishing of the City Hall Annex to serve as, what we have defined, a consolidated city hall following the scope or work as outlined in the letter from Mudano with the addition of whatever is necessary to rectify the omissions discovered by our consultants in regard to the exterior walls. The seconder accepted the restatement. Mayor Garvey expressed concern this was not a truly consolidate city hall. Commissioner Deegan emphasized it was as it had been defined at 78,000 square feet. The Mayor stated she felt the City Hall is where the legislative power is. Commissioner Deegan reiterated the project was defined in the last direction given to Rowe Rados. Commissioner Fitzgerald stated the motion was asking them to take a look at it, but that doesn't mean this is the best course of action. Mayor Garvey stated the vote was not to look at the City Hall Annex as the total City Hall but to get cost estimates for renovation for having city management there. Commissioner Deegan stated he would amend his motion to insert after the phrase "refurbishing the City Hall Annex" to provide the offices as outlined in the Rowe Rados project report and to delete the phrase "to serve as what we have defined as a consolidated city hall." The Mayor reiterated she did not feel this was a true consolidated city hall; however, she would accept Commissioner Deegan's amendment as the last direction given. Upon the vote being taken, Commissioners Deegan, Berfield, Thomas and Mayor Garvey voted "aye." Commissioner Fitzgerald voted "nay." Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:01 a.m.